Finally tackled that metal edging thing on my roof

I feel you on the acorns - those things are relentless. Mesh guards helped me too, but I still get those little helicopter seeds wedged in there every spring. Honestly, I just gave in and started doing a twice-a-year gutter check. Once after the leaves drop, and once after all the spring junk finishes falling. It's quick enough if you keep up with it, and at least it prevents the oatmeal buildup from getting too nasty. Plus, being up there occasionally lets me catch any other roof issues early - loose shingles, flashing that's shifted, stuff like that. I figure a little ladder time now saves a bigger headache (and wallet ache) later.

Twice a year sounds pretty reasonable, especially if you're already up there checking things out. I've been thinking about green roofing lately - wondering if anyone's tried it to help manage debris and runoff issues? Seems like it could cut down on gutter maintenance too...

I helped install a green roof last summer on a smaller shed project. It definitely reduced runoff noticeably - barely saw any water pooling around the base after heavy rains. But debris-wise, it wasn't exactly maintenance-free. We still had to clear out leaves and twigs occasionally, though less frequently than traditional gutters. Overall, it's a solid option if you're okay with some upkeep and want better runoff control.

"We still had to clear out leaves and twigs occasionally, though less frequently than traditional gutters."

That's been my experience too. While green roofs do require some periodic upkeep, the maintenance tasks are generally less frequent and more manageable compared to conventional gutter systems. One additional benefit I've noticed is the insulation factor - my workshop stays noticeably cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Definitely worth considering if you're weighing the pros and cons beyond just runoff control.

Had a similar experience inspecting a place last fall:

- Green roof was in decent shape, but still had some buildup of leaves and debris around the edges.
- Definitely less cluttered than traditional gutters, but not maintenance-free.
- Owner mentioned the insulation benefit too - said heating bills dropped noticeably after installation.
- One thing to watch out for though: saw some moisture issues where the metal edging wasn't installed properly. If water sneaks under there, it can cause headaches down the road.

Overall, seems like a solid choice if you're okay with occasional upkeep. Just make sure whoever installs it knows what they're doing...

I had a similar issue at my parents' place a year back - metal edging looked fine from a distance, but water was sneaking underneath. Ended up with some moldy insulation, total pain to sort out. Definitely worth double-checking the edges every now and then...

"metal edging looked fine from a distance, but water was sneaking underneath."

Yep, that's exactly why visual checks alone aren't enough. If you're inspecting your roof edging, here's what I'd recommend: first, gently lift or pry up sections of the metal edging every few feet (carefully, obviously) to see if there's moisture or discoloration underneath. Second, check the attic insulation directly below those spots - any dampness or moldy smell is a red flag. Did you notice if the water infiltration was worse in certain areas, like around corners or seams?

Had a similar issue last spring, turned out corners were the sneakiest spots for leaks... Did you find any rust or corrosion under there, or was it mostly just dampness?

Corners can be tricky, sure, but I've found seams along the straight edges can be even sneakier. Had a leak last year that looked corner-related at first, but turned out moisture was traveling along the seam... worth double-checking those areas too.

Good point about seams - I had a similar issue last spring. Thought it was the flashing at first, but turned out water was sneaking under the metal edging itself. Did you end up sealing yours, or replace the whole strip? Curious what's most cost-effective.

"Thought it was the flashing at first, but turned out water was sneaking under the metal edging itself."

Had a similar situation a couple years back, and honestly, sealing was just a temporary fix in my experience. Eventually, water found its way back in - just took longer. If you're looking at cost-effectiveness long-term, replacing the strip entirely is usually better. A bit pricier upfront, yeah...but saves you from climbing back up there every season to re-seal. Just my two cents from dealing with storm damage repairs regularly.

A bit pricier upfront, yeah...but saves you from climbing back up there every season to re-seal.

Totally agree - sealing's usually just buying yourself time. Had water sneaking under mine too, and after replacing the edging, I added a breathable underlayment layer beneath it. Been bone-dry ever since, even through some crazy storms...might be worth considering if you're redoing it anyway.

Yeah, sealing is usually just a band-aid fix - buys you some time but doesn't really solve the underlying issue. Good call on the breathable underlayment. A lot of folks overlook that step, but it's key for letting moisture escape and preventing mold buildup down the line.

One thing I'd add from experience: make sure your flashing details are spot-on when you're redoing edging. I've seen plenty of roofs where people replaced the edging but skimped on proper flashing around chimneys, vents, or skylights. Water loves finding those tiny gaps, and once it gets in, you've got headaches.

Also worth double-checking your fasteners - I've dealt with storm damage cases where perfectly good edging got compromised because someone used cheap screws or nails that rusted out after one season. Stainless steel or corrosion-resistant fasteners are definitely worth the extra bucks upfront. Saves you from climbing back up there sooner than you'd like.

Had a client last year who thought he was saving money by skipping proper underlayment altogether - just metal straight onto plywood. Looked fine at first glance, but after a few heavy rains, water wicked right underneath and warped his decking pretty badly. Ended up being way more expensive to fix than if he'd just done it right initially.

Anyway, sounds like you've got it sorted now. Good peace of mind knowing you're set for the next big storm...

Totally agree on the flashing - can't count how many times I've seen water creep in from a sloppy chimney job. Had a neighbor once who redid his roof himself, looked pretty good from the ground, but he totally botched the flashing around his skylight. First big rainstorm, he had buckets everywhere. Ended up paying twice as much to get it fixed properly.

I'm a bit skeptical about always needing stainless fasteners though...I mean, sure they're great, but I've used galvanized screws plenty of times without issues. As long as they're decent quality and not some bargain-bin junk, they've held up fine for me. But yeah, definitely don't cheap out too much - seen those rust streaks running down siding enough times to know it's not worth saving a couple bucks.

And man, skipping underlayment altogether? That's bold (and by bold I mean crazy). Even breathable underlayment isn't that pricey in the grand scheme of things. Some shortcuts just aren't worth it...

Galvanized screws can definitely do the job, but I've seen them fail faster than you'd expect, especially near coastal areas or places with heavy moisture. Even decent galvanized hardware can corrode quicker than you'd think when exposed to salt air or constant dampness. Stainless might feel like overkill, but it's a safer bet long-term. Still, if you're inland and conditions aren't too harsh, galvanized is usually fine...just keep an eye on it every couple years or so.

"Stainless might feel like overkill, but it's a safer bet long-term."

Fair point, but honestly, stainless isn't always the magic bullet either. I've seen stainless screws seize up or gall pretty badly, especially if you're not careful installing them. Had a job last year where we ended up snapping heads off stainless screws left and right - total nightmare. Galvanized can definitely rust quicker near the coast, no argument there, but if you're inland or even moderately humid, quality coated screws (like ceramic-coated deck screws) can be a solid middle ground. They're cheaper than stainless, resist corrosion better than standard galvanized, and I've had good luck with them holding up over time. Just throwing another option out there...

Yeah, stainless can be tricky - I learned that the hard way too. Ended up stripping a bunch of screws on my first DIY project... nightmare. Ceramic-coated screws have held up surprisingly well for me since then, so definitely worth considering. Good luck with the roof!

"Ended up stripping a bunch of screws on my first DIY project... nightmare."

Haha, been there myself - stainless screws can be a real pain if you're not careful. One trick I've found helpful is pre-drilling pilot holes slightly smaller than the screw diameter. Makes life way easier and saves you from the dreaded stripped screw scenario. Ceramic-coated screws are solid too, especially if you're dealing with moisture or coastal conditions. Either way, sounds like you're on the right track now... roofs are tricky enough without hardware drama slowing you down.

Been down that road myself... stripped screws are like a DIY rite of passage, haha. Pilot holes definitely help, but I've also had luck using an impact driver - makes a huge difference. Keep at it, gets easier each time.

Yeah, stripped screws are the worst... I've definitely been there. Impact drivers are a lifesaver, but sometimes even those stubborn screws need a bit of WD-40 or some patience. Glad you got through it - roof edging can be tricky at first.